Article vending machine



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I YV E TOR J. L. SCOTT ATTORNE Nov. 20, 1962 ARTICLE VENDING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1959 Nov. 20, 1962 J. L. sco-r1' ARTICLE VENDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 3, 1959 NN A uw W J lllll,lwh\ lm hw. Nrw. n dwhullwlll r Illll \m\| ICICI) il. l, I. J. nl? m i l1 l T fllHMwVlMil @....JNWW www# wm. .um my |u I DH ATTORNEY NOV- 20, 1962 J. l.. scoTT ARTICLE VENDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 3, 1959 ATTORNEY United States Patent "ice 3,064,857 ARTKLE VENDING MACHlNE John L. Scott, R0. Box 177, ttawa, ntario, (Zanada Filed uly 3, 1959, Ser. No. 824,891 4 Claims. (Cl. 221-116) This invention relates to article vending machines, and more particularly to article delivery mechanism therefor.

In vending machines for relatively heavy articles such as large blocks of ice which may be of ten to twenty pounds or more in weight, it is necessary to provide a special delivery mechanism which is suiciently strong and heavy in structure to adequately support the articles during the delivery step. As a result, vending machines for heavy articles such as blocks of ice are currently quite high in cost and, while the use of vending machines of this type is widespread, their cost justifies installation only in locations where heavy salesv of articles are likely to occur.

It is an object of this invention to provide an article delivery mechanism for vending machines which is of simplied construction and reduced cost, which is capable of receiving an increased charge of articles to be vended, and which is subject to long, trouble-free, and position operation.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE l is a side elevation of a vending machine in accordance with the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of one portion of the article delivery mechanism,

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of another portion of the article delivery mechanism,

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view on line 4 4 of FIGURE l, and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective View of an article engaging dog. I

The apparatus illustrated will be described with particular reference to the vending of blocks of ice.

In the drawing, 1 is an insulated housing of conventional structure, having an opening 2 for delivery of articles and an external platform 3 to receive the delivered article. The opening 2 is provided with a closure 4 which may be of the flexible curtain type and which will flex outwardly on engagement by an article to permit passage of the article through the opening and will thereafter automatically return to the closed position.

Delivery mechanism in accordance with the invention comprises a pair of laterally aligned parallel conveyors 5 supported on the bottom wall of the housing by means of transverse members 6. Each conveyor S has a frame comprising longitudinal bars 7 and transverse bars 8 which may consist of lengths of angle iron as shown. Each conveyor comprises a pair of sprockets 9 having their shafts 16 freely journalled in bearing members 11, and au endless chain 12 mounted on the sprockets. Each chain has an upper substantially horizontal path of travel and a lower return path of travel also substantially horizontally disposed.

Each chain is supported during its upper path of travel on a pair of spaced metal strips 13 whereby each alternate horizontally disposed link of the chain rides on the edge portions of the two strips and each alternate vertically disposed link of the chain projects through the slot 14 formed between the strips and extends above and below the strips.

Each conveyor is provided with a pair of longitudinal ice carrying rails 15 one on each side of the chain. lt will be apparent that each pair of rails is arranged to support a row of ice blocks 16 with the upper path of travel of the chain located directly below the overlying 3,064,857 Patented Nov. 2o, 1962 row of ice blocks and substantially centrally of Veach row. Each conveyor has a rearward end 17 and a forward or discharge end 18.

Each row of ice blocks is connected to the underlying chain 12 by means of a removable dog 19 which comprises a plate 20 arranged to be seated upon the strips 13 and having a depending tooth 21 arranged to extend through a horizontal link of the chain for engagement thereby and an upright cleat 22 for engagement with the exposed end surface of the end block of the row of ice blocks adjacent the rearward end of the conveyor. It will be apparent that if movement is imparted to each of the chains 12 whereby the upper travelling path of travel thereof is in a direction moving from the rearward to the forward end of the conveyor, the blocks of ice will be successively discharged over the discharge ends of the chains.

Means for imparting successive increments of movement alternately to each chain in a direction to move the chain forwardly in its upper path, each such increment of movement being approximately equal to the length of an ice block, are provided. Such means comprises, for each conveyor, a pitman arm 23 pivoted to a crank arm 24. The crank arms 24- are iixed to a common shaft 25 journalled in bearings 26 mounted on frames 27. Shaft 25 is driven by means of sprockets 2S, 29, chain 30, speed reducer 31, motor 32, and motor shaft 33.

The free end of each pitman arm 23 is provided with a tooth 34 which rides on the top of the upper travelling portion of a chain adjacent the rearward end thereof; Each tooth 34 is somewhat inclined, as shown in FIG- URE l whereby on forward movement of the pitman' arm it will fall into a horizontal link of the chain and engage the same to move the chain forwardly whereas on rearward movement of the pitman arm it will ride rearwardly over the chain links. J

It will be apparent that a rearward section of the upper path of each chain is Vfree of ice blocks to accommodate the stroke of the pitman. arm on the chain. The length of stroke of each pitman arm is approximately equal to the length of a block of ice. Moreover, it will be observed that when one pitman is at the end of its forward stroke, the other pitman arm is at the end of its rearward stroke. Thus, on rotation of shaft 25, the pitman arms 23 will alternately move the chainsv 12 a distance approximately equal to the length of an ice block to discharge one block of ice alternately from the discharge end of each conveyor. l

Means vfor guiding each pitman tooth 34 in its movement over a chain 12 comprises a pair of spaced strips 35 between which the tooth is located during its strokes. i

Means for guiding the ice blocks discharged over the discharge ends of the chains through the opening 2 are provided and comprise slides 36 and 37 located at the discharge ends of the two conveyors. Each slide is preferably mounted on spring hinges 38 carried by a transverse frame member 39 closely adjacent the discharge ends of the conveyors. The hinges 38 normally hold the slides in an elevated position (as indicated in FIGURE l) so that access to the interior of the housing through the opening 2 is avoided. However, on engagement by a block of ice, each slide is adapted to swing downwardly under the weight thereof. Each slide is in alignment with a conveyor 5, opening 2 being in alignment with slide 36. Thus, -on engagement by a block of ice, slide 36 provides an inclined surface leading to opening 2 and the block of ice slides down such surface and through the opening onto the platform 3. Slide 37 is oset with respect to opening 2 and is provided with an inclined rail 40 which has an end portion 41 engaging the ice-receiving surface of adjacent slide 36. When an ice block engages slide facilitate sliding movement of icethereon. An ice-retain` ing side rail 43 may be provided on slide 36. i

. vMeans are provided vformaintaining each chain 12 in alignment during its return or lower path of `travel and comprises a triangular frameV 44.v suspended from transver'seibars 8 and preferably provided with a bearing krail 45, triangular in cross section as shown in `FIGURE 4. Each 4rail 45 has a lowermost apex and side walls diverging upwardly therefrom to provide a triangularv trough f orfrece'ption of the chain. It will be apparent that the chainv '12will seatV in rail 45 with its alternate links maintained in vertical and horizontal position by reason of the triangular coniig'uration of the rail, as clearly shown in FIGURE 4, Y

Coin-actuated control mechanism for vending the blocks of ice one at a time is provided but is of conventional nature and forms no part of the present invention. Suitable-mechanism is diagrammatically illustrated in the drawing and comprises a power lineV 46 connected to motor 32 through junction -boxes 47 and 48 and arranged to supply Apower for driving the motor. A coin-actuated mechanism ,49 is mounted on the housing adjacent opening 2 and has lan yelectrical connection with the motor circuit through .junction box Y47, the arrangement being such that on insertion of anappropriate coin in the mechanism 49, themotor circuit will be energized to start the motorand eject one block of ice through opening Z. A switchS has., an actuating arm S1 pivotally suspended therefrom. The-'arm l51 has a pair of :lingers 52 vertica-lly suspended from the arm and each located oppesite one ofthe rows of ice block forwardly of the row and above a slide 36 or 37. Thus, when a block of ice slides down a respectiveslide, it will engage a iinger 52 and swing it forwardly. As the ice block leaves the slide, the. riinger swings back into vertical position. This movement actuates the switch 50, which has an electrical connection 53 with the motor circuit via junction box 47, and opensy the motor circuit to stop the motor. 'A second switchr54 also has an actuating arm S1 with Suspended'fngers 52 which, however, are positioned diiectly above the rows of ice block,ea`ch linger engaging the) .top surface of the forward ice block of a respective roweand 'being therebyv swung forwardly in the position shown 'in FIGURE Ll. 'As the last block of ice. `is ejected, theiingers 52'V and varm 51 of switch 54 swin'g into vertical position and thus actuate the switch, which also has an electricalY connection. 55 with the motor circuit, to break 'the motor circuit. Thereafter, 'any coin inserted 'in the mechanism 49 will not start the motor but willV ybeV 'returned.v to? the.Y customer. y' v IA'Imancontrolfswitch 56' may be .provided in th'e m'otor circuit.' Y I i f Tens'ie'nadjusting means for each chain 12-rr1ay be provided A.and as shown comprises a supporting frame 57 for one'of :sprockets "9'slidably mounted on frame membe'rsf'SS'and adjustable as to position thereon yby means of crew-threaded' rods 59. v

iI claim: i n y 1.*Ii1 l'a coin-controlled vending apparatus, article 'delivery 'mechanism comprising apair of conveyors each having-"an endless-chain, each said' chain having `a 'subystantially horizontal `upper path of travelm eans support-V ing each said chain during said upper path of travel comprising a pair of longitudinally extending spaced strips, said chain having alternate links engaging said strips and disposed in a substantially horizontal position and alternate links extending between said strips and disposed in a substantially vertical position, stationary article supporting rails disposed above said upper 'path of travel and forming the sole means for supporting the articles, and an article engaging dog projecting above the rails and having a depending tooth freely insertable in any one of said horizontal links for selective positioning in said chain and travel therewith, said chains being arranged in laterally `aligned relation, and `means formoving each Vsaid chain alternately in successive increments of 'movecarried Iby said shaftand revolvably driven thereby, and Y a pitman arm freely swingably connected Vto each said crank arm and having a-free end portion overlying and gravitationally urged'toward one of said upper paths of travel, 'each said free end portion havingv a depending tooth engageable with one of said chains to move-said chain in'one direction,'each said pitman having a `forward and a rearward stroke.

2. Coin-controlled .vending apparatus as defined in claimI 1, including meansjror maintaining said link positions-during the lower path -of travel of said chain comprising a trough having diverging side walls, said horizontally disposed links engaging said vside walls.

3. =In an article delivery mechanism,- an endless chain conveyor comprising an endless link chain .having a substantially horizontal upper pathof travel, means supporting 'said chain" along said: upper path of travel comprising a pair of longitudinally extendin-g spaced' parallel strips, said 'chain having alternateA links -slidingly engaging said strips and disposed in a substantially horizontal position, the lotherlinks 'of-said chain extending between said strips and disposed in a substantially vertical position, laterally spaced stationary article supporting Yr'ails disposed above the upper path of travel of said chain and forming the sole means 'for 'supporting lthe articles, and means Ysupported onfsaid V'strips andy engaging the article above the rails'and 'having `a depending-tooth -freely insertable in any 'one of said horizontallinks for selective connection to ,'said chain fat any point thereon and for travel therewith,tand'{1e'ans for moving 's'aid chain in successive increments of movement.' 1 Y' '4. Thestru'ctu're as defined -i-n claim 3 wherein said articie 'engaging means includes a bodyYV member having angupstanding abutm'ehtfthereon for engaging the article; an'd V'outwardly'extending iianges Yengaging the strips outwardly of jthe horizontal links whereby 'none of the weight of'fth'e articleen'gagin'g rrrleaiisis supported by the chain.

. References Cited inthe fiile of 'this patent 'UNITD STATS PATENTS 

